DEF welcomes new board member; raises rates on rentals

Friday

Jan 18, 2013 at 8:00 PMJan 18, 2013 at 9:09 PM

In a mildly busy night, the Desert Empire Fair Board of Directors voted Thursday to raise the daily rent of the Fairgrounds buildings.The vote came on the first night Director Howard Laire took his seat to become the sixth member of the board. He fills one of four vacancies left by the departure of three members and the death of the fourth.

By Cheeto Barreraeditor@ridgecrestca.com

The State of California also appointed Kim Alexander to fill a second vacancy, but she was not present Thursday.Laire is an active member in the community, serving on various boards in town, including the Planning Commission, which he served on for 16 years before his departure in 2008.Laire said he had been interested in the fair for a while and has had people asking him about it frequently.“I thought it would be interesting and a positive way to help the community,” Laire said. Rents will go up about $25 across the board, but have three different tiers. Local nonprofits will pay the least, being charged $550 for Sage Hall and $650 for Mesquite Hall.Commercial renters can have the halls for $600 for Sage and $750 for Mesquite.Finally, out-of-town renters will pay $650 for Sage and $850 for Mesquite.Joshua Hall is rented out for the year.All rates are effective as of Jan. 1. Any rentals made before 2013 will be honored at the original rates. CEO Mike Leming pointed out there are some wedding receptions that are only being charged $525 for that reason.The board approved the rate increases 5-0, with President Ron Kicinski and new member Alexander being absent.The directors did, however, suggest they take a look at the rates again soon, particularly because they are still lower than other rentals in town.Director Doug Lueck said it may be worth it to look at raising the rates again based on what he hears in town.“Other facilities complain because we are so low,” Lueck said.Laire, however, suggested that while they could raise the rates again, it is the fair’s mission to be a place where local activities can take place.“It is in our best interest to be low,” Laire said. “We can take our time and see what happens.”See the Daily Independent Saturday for more on the meeting, including the board’s safety concerns with the solar panels.